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Thomas Suozzi leads in Congress fundraising

June 17, 2016

By:

Robert Brodsky

Newsday

Former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi has a significant fundraising advantage over his four Democratic rivals in advance of the June 28 primary to succeed Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) in the Third District, according to new Federal Election Commission filings released Friday.

In the Democratic primary in the First District, to challenge Rep. Lee Zeldin (D-Shirley) in November, former Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst outraised her opponent, venture capitalist David Calone, FEC filings show.

The filings cover the April 1-June 8 period. Contributions received after that time were disclosed in “48-hour” reports.

The filings show Suozzi raised nearly $302,000 in the past 11 weeks, including more than $21,000 from Sterling Equities, which owns the New York Mets, and its owners and partners. Suozzi spent more than $347,000 and has nearly $312,000 on hand.

Suffolk County Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills) raised nearly $110,000, including $5,400 from labor mediator Martin Scheinman, and his wife, Laurie Scheinman, a psychologist who mulled a run for the seat. Stern spent nearly $491,000 and has almost $117,000 available, records show.

Stern loaned his campaign $57,840 and gave his campaign $18,000. Since the campaign began, he has loaned his campaign nearly $90,000 and gave his campaign $54,000.

North Hempstead Town Board member Anna Kaplan raised nearly $96,000, including $5,000 from Emily’s List, which raises funds for pro-choice candidates. She spent nearly $471,000 and has more than $106,000 on hand.

Kaplan loaned her campaign $140,000 and $240,000 during the entire campaign.

Former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman raised nearly $84,000, including $5,400 from real estate magnate Frank Castagna and his wife, Rita. He spent $220,000 and has almost $48,000 on hand.

Attorney Jonathan Clarke did not report campaign fundraising but says he raised $4,865 and has about $2,000 on hand.

In the First District, Throne-Holst raised nearly $290,000, including $2,700 from music and film producer David Geffen. She spent $726,000 and has $660,000 on hand.

Calone raised more than $170,000, including $3,000 from the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. He spent $560,000 and has more than $500,000 available.

In the Fifth District, which includes parts of western Nassau, Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) faces a primary from businessman Ali Mirza. Meeks raised $90,200, spent $89,000 and has nearly $104,000 on hand. Mirza raised more than $38,000, spent $16,000 and has more than $15,000 available.